High Bridge kids raise funds for student affected by Sept. 11

HIGH BRIDGE _ After learning that a former
High Bridge Middle School student was directly affected by the
Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center, a plan was enacted to
help that former student and her children while simultaneously
celebrating "Read Across America."

For Read Across America, Middle School
students in grades 6 to 8 were invited to participate in a
"Read-A-Thon" during the month of February. All money collected was
donated to a trust fund for the children of the former High Bridge
student.

Students were asked to gather sponsors who
were willing to pledge a dollar amount per book read.

During the month of February, they read as
much as they could, said school officials.

Students logged each book they read and
completed a synopsis form which they deposited into a box in the
Middle School Library Media Center. There were 30 prizes on March
1, "Read Across America Day" most of which were donations from
local businesses.

The district also acknowledged and presented
awards to its three ""Top-Fund-Raisers."

The following students received $10 gift
certificates, donated from our PTO to the Clinton Book Shop: sixth
grader John Wodder, seventh grader Amanda Hiles, and seventh grader
Katelyn Kurth.

The Language Arts class that read the most
books was rewarded with an ice cream sundae party donated by
Shop-Rite. The winning class of 19 sixth grade students read 101
grade appropriate novels and were rewarded with an ice cream party
donated by Clinton Shop-Rite.

Students who read five or more books and
students who collected $20 or more were also rewarded with an ice
cream party.

Writing Contests

The school also held writing contests in
conjunction with Language Arts classes.

Prizes were awarded to the top five
entries.

Stephanie Coughlan won first place for
"Yurtle the Turtle," second place was won by Anthony DeJesso for
"The Suss Poem Trilogy" by Anthony DeJesso, third place was won by
John Wodder for "A Dog Named Gooks," fourth place was won by
Eleanora Mojka for "A Diamonte Seuss poem" and fifth place was won
by Devon Oswald for "The Grinch."

The top seventh grade winners were the
following:

First place went to Hugo Rodrigues; second
Place swent to Kiah Banfield, third place was awarded to Courtney
O'Shea, fourth lace went to Ricky Cooper and Jad Walther, and fifth
place went to Mike Anello and Alicia Hertling.

The celebration and activities began after
lunchtime.

Students returned to their homerooms for a
15 minute school- wide DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time,
followed by "Seusscakes" for all, donated by the High Bridge PTO.
Eighth Grade Library Helpers went on the air, and announced the
contest winners and drew the names of the prize winners.

The 180 students, through the High Bridge
Middle School's ""Read-A-Thon", raised $2,174.38 for the children
of the former High Bridge student.

School officials said they were very proud
of the High Bridge Middle School students for all their effort and
hard work, and appreciative of the High Bridge PTO for their
support, baking "Seusscakes" for all the students and their funding
for gifts, as well as contributions received from the local area
businesses.

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In recent weeks, Long Hill Township and Watchung Borough passed ordinances allowing their police departments to be able to apply for surplus equipment from the Department of Defense. Long Hill recently procured a Humvee to use in times of flooding, which Watchung states as the reason they are getting into the program. However, in cities around the country, police forces have used the program to obtain military gear, such as weapons and armor.
For more background, go to the link below
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/echoes-sentinel/news/watchung-police-department-hopes-to-receive-equipment-from-department-of/article_12ad002a-92b3-5449-a2cc-4b2cf0ce4339.html